Dominic Meslin of the law firm Kaplan and Waddell is one of the colleagues I work with in real estate sales in Vancouver.
I asked him a few pertinent questions for this blog posting, and here’s what he said:
Q. How did you get into real estate law?
A. I studied law at Dalhousie University in Halifax, N.S. I began my career as a trial lawyer in Alberta representing insurers and corporations. I then moved to Vancouver and shifted my focus to real estate. I now advise individual people whom I get to know as we work through their real estate transactions.
Q. When a first time buyer looks for a real estate lawyer, what should he/she look for?
A. A first-time buyer should select a lawyer that specializes in real estate and has experience. This ensures that the buyer receives timely, accurate advice and problems are either avoided or addressed with a minimum of stress. The importance of finding a lawyer that has experience specializing in real estate also applies to a seller deciding which lawyer to use.
Q. What would a non-Canadian buyer or seller look for?
A. The purchase and sale of real estate in Canada by non-Canadians raises unique issues. One is the effect of Canadian income tax. Buyers and sellers should retain a lawyer who can guide them through the requirements of the Canadian income tax system related to the purchase or sale of their property. Another issue is the logistics of completing the deal. Unlike Canadian buyers, foreigners may need to sign documents outside of Canada and send money for the purchase from outside Canada. Clients should select a lawyer experienced in serving foreign clients so these matters are addressed correctly and in time for completion.
Q. There are lots of firms around. How does your firm set itself apart from the competition?
A. Several factors set the law firm of Kaplan and Waddell apart. Most importantly, this is a boutique firm of three lawyers and six conveyancers specializing in real estate law. Frank Kaplan and Duff Waddell, the two partners, each has over 35 years experience in acting for Canadian and foreign clients on real estate transactions. For clients in Vancouver, the firm is conveniently located just south of downtown Vancouver in the South Granville Rise area. For non-Canadian clients, the lawyers at Kaplan and Waddell are very familiar in dealing with the unique issues of foreign clients to ensure that their transactions are handled efficiently even when quick closings are required or the funds are coming from outside Canada. For all of our clients, the firm of Kaplan and Waddell offers the benefits of speed and cost effectiveness that result from being one of the first firms to master electronic title searches, document transmission and registration using the electronic filing system of the British Columbia Land Title and Survey Authority.
Q. How do you see technology impacting the legal process in the closing of real estate transactions?
A. When used by an experienced lawyer knowledgeable in real estate, technology can greatly enhance the service offered to the client. Technology gives lawyers the option to electronically search titles, obtain records and even file documents with the British Columbia Land Title and Survey Authority. This increases the speed at which transactions proceed by eliminating delays caused by paper searches and couriers. At Kaplan and Waddell, we have mastered this technology with the effect that our boutique firm can provide prompt service at a very competitive rate.
Contact Dominic at: Kaplan and Waddell, Suite 102, 2590 Granville St. Vancouver, BC, V6H 3H1 – tel: (604)736-8021.
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